Quiet zones

Come to discover the many trails and unspoiled nature that the lake of Serre-Ponçon offers.
About twenty rare or notable plant species and about twenty species of patrimonial animals are found on and around the lake of Serre-Ponçon.
Indeed, the valley of the Durance is an important migration route for birds. The reservoir of Serre -Ponçon is the last major refuge area for migratory birds before crossing the Alps (migration route Camargue> Po Valley > Central and Northern Europe). Bad weather conditions in altitude may force birds to stay longer down in the valley (phenomenon of migratory blocking common in spring) stay. The reservoir is also a rest area, especially in autumn and spring.
The Lake of Serre-Ponçon allows a high concentration of wintering ducks and a certain number of water birds migrating, passing or wintering and many shorebirds thanks to the bare tidal reservoirs in shallow waters.
Thus, the most faithful species, except in the spring and fall are :

mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus)

the yellow legged gull (Larus michahellis)

black-headed gulls (chroicocephalus ridibundus)

black kite (Milvus migrans) especially in summer

At the time of migration, many species are found and especially shorebirds on the muddy margins:
winter teal (Anas crecca ) from early December to the end of February and especially upstream from the bridge of Savines

the great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) passing in autumn and in spring

grey heron (Ardea cinerea) from mid-October to early March mainly at the cone of Boscodon (white Peyre)

Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta)

little egret (Egretta garzetta)

the pink flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber roseus) ...

The birds of prey also use the Durance valley to cross the Alps during their migration and are regularly observed on the territory of the Lake of Serre-Ponçon: Montagu's harrier (Circus pygargus), Black Kite (Milvus migrans), red kite (Milvus Milvus ).
Do not forget your camera and binoculars, not to miss this show.